Travis Kelce, Martha Stewart, Tina Knowles, and Other Celebs Line up at the Kentucky Derby - Vanity Fair

cisobakaso.blogspot.com

Stunning hats abound as Sheryl Lee Ralph, Wynonna Judd, and Patrick Mahomes hit the horse race's red carpet.

May 5, 2024

The stars—including athlete Travis Kelce, Broadway star Josh Groban, and Kentucky-based singer Jack Harlow—were out in Louisville this weekend for the 150th Kentucky Derby. This year the race came down to a photo finish between top picks Sierra Leone (who traded for $2.3 million as a yearling in 2022,) Japanese upstart Forever Young, and 18-01 longshot Mystik Dan, who bested his closest competitor by a nose.

Mystik Dan #3, ridden by jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr. crosses the finish line to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 04, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Even before the racers posed for their close-ups, a slew of celebrities—likely drawn to the event for its weekend of concerts, parties, and fun—smiled for the camera, either on the red carpet or while inside Churchill Downs, the century-plus-old racetrack with famously tony mint juleps and a social scene that overwhelmed even veteran carouser Hunter S. Thompson.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wife Brittany prepare to walk the red carpet at the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2023, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce at the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.

LEANDRO LOZADA/Getty Images

Former NFL quarterback Warren Moon walks the red carpet at the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2023, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen walks the red carpet at the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2023, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Travis Kelce wasn't the only athlete in attendance at the race, as his Kansas City Chiefs teammate, Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany also made an appearance, as did retired Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. And, no, Taylor Swift wasn't there.

Cactus Moser and Wynonna Judd perform during the Kentucky Derby 150 at Churchill Downs on May 04, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Jack Harlow attends the Kentucky Derby 150 at Churchill Downs on May 04, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

Country singer Randy Travis and his wife Mary Davis walk the red carpet before the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2024, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 04: Josh Groban attends the Kentucky Derby 150 at Churchill Downs on May 04, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

Then there were the musicians. Country singers including Randy Travis and Wynonna Judd were in attendance, as was area resident Jack Harlow. Josh Groban, who is enough of a regular that he's even sang the National Anthem at the race, returned again this year.

Tina Knowles attends the Kentucky Derby 150 at Churchill Downs on May 04, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

Tina Knowles, who many know as Beyonce's mother, arrived in arguably the best sunglasses of the day. Actors including Stephen Amell, Chris Tucker, and Sheryl Lee Ralph also stopped on the red carpet for photos.

The biggest shocker of the day might be that Ralph hadn't intended to arrive in the show-stopping hat you see below. According to a Gannett report, the Abbot Elementary star “intended to show up to the 150th Kentucky Derby hatless,” but singer Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances, told her that head coverings for women were a long-standing tradition at the race. “They made me Derby perfect,” Ralph said via social media.

Sheryl Lee Ralph attends the Kentucky Derby 150 at Churchill Downs on May 04, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

Actor Stephen Amell walks the red carpet before the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2024, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Comedian and actor Chris Tucker walks the red carpet before the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2024, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images